As the Panthers chase the Stanley Cup, two ex-Bruins are making noise, and making Boston’s front office look bad in the process.
Former Bruins are now key pieces in Florida’s playoff push
Watching Brad Marchand and A.J. Greer help the Florida Panthers dominate in the playoffs has been a gut punch for many in Boston.
Not long ago, both players wore the Spoked B.
Now, they’re not just contributors, they’re making real noise for a team that’s going the distance.
Marchand, traded at the deadline for a conditional 2027 second-round pick (which could become a first), has been electric.
At 37, he’s defying expectations and leading Florida with 12 points in as many games. He scored the overtime winner against Toronto and played a major role in the Panthers’ fifth Game 7 win over the Leafs.
For Bruins fans, it’s not just about the points. It’s about everything Marchand brought—leadership, clutch instincts, and a swagger this current Bruins team is clearly missing.
Greer’s physical presence is exactly what Boston lacked
A.J. Greer might not be a household name, but his value is becoming harder to ignore. Claimed off waivers by Florida, he’s brought energy, grit, and a nasty edge the Panthers needed.
In Game 7 against Toronto, Greer threw a team-high seven hits. He wasn’t trying to be flashy—he just brought intensity.
The kind of presence that wears opponents down. The kind of play the Bruins used to rely on, but have since let walk out the door.
Greer didn’t cost Boston anything when they cut him loose. But now, his absence is glaring.
Bruins are out—and the pick they got may not mean much
With the Panthers advancing and Marchand playing more than half their games, Boston’s return for the deal, currently a 2027 second-rounder, will upgrade to a first. Still, that’s cold comfort when your former captain is driving another team’s playoff engine.
This isn’t just about numbers. It’s about intangibles. Marchand brought fire, leadership, and accountability. Those traits don’t show up on the scoresheet, but they decide games. He had them. Boston lost them.
Now they’re watching someone else benefit from them.
Don Sweeney’s judgment facing renewed heat
Critics have long questioned Don Sweeney’s trades, but this one’s different. Marchand wasn’t just a player.
He was a franchise icon, the face of their playoff identity. Letting him go—along with a heart-and-soul depth piece like Greer—has stripped Boston of more than just depth.
The Bruins didn’t just fall short this year. They missed the playoffs entirely. Meanwhile, the two players they moved on from are thriving with a rival.
Marchand and Greer weren’t supposed to be this impactful after leaving. But they are. And it’s clear now: what the Bruins lost wasn’t just skill—it was identity.
Florida got stronger. Boston got quieter. And Bruins fans are left wondering how it all unraveled.
Do you think the Boston Bruins organization made a mistake trading Marchand and Greer?
Bruins after dark 
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